Family Life Course Lecture 9 Guide

“Strengthening Marital Integrity”Prepared by: David A. Magalong, Jr.“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Hebrews 13:4

A. Sex is a Gift from God (Gen. 2:24-25)

1. Sex is a covenant act of union – Gen. 2:24

“For this cause the man shall leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.“

Three acts: “Leave – Cleave – Weave“

The sexual act is the enactment of the covenant of marriage (Malachi 2:14) where the two become one flesh. (“Cleave” – a covenant term in the OT.)

It is the pledge of loyalty to that covenant relationship.

2. Sex is a covenant relationship – Gen. 2:25

“The man and woman were both naked, and they felt no shame.“

Sex itself is more than an act – it is a relationship. The sexual act is the physical expression of that union and intimacy of hearts that is to characterize the total relationship of the man and his wife – a relationship that is motivated by love and where the man is to primarily takes initiative.

B. Lust is a Perversion of God’s Gift

(1 Thess. 4:3-8)

Lust is a self-indulgent sexual desire that separates the sexual act from the relationship as it focuses purely on the physical enjoyment without real concern for the nurture of the relationship or the happiness of the other. (1 Thess. 4:3-8)

Love is a relationship characterized by

1. Openness

2. Care

3. Understanding

4. Respect

5. Responsibility

and is motivated by a desire for intimacy, which is the goal of marriage according to God’s purpose (Gen. 2:24-25; Mal. 2:15 NIV).

C. Sexual Fulfillment is God’s Will

(1 Cor. 7:3-5)

Sexual satisfaction is important to maintaining the sexual integrity of a marriage.

Overcoming obstacles to sexual fulfillment:

1. Be open to each other about problems in your sex life.

2. Be considerate and understanding to your spouse when he/she is not ready or when he/she is in need.

3. Respect and be sensitive to the feelings and needs of your spouse relating to your sex life.